Half Life 2 may not make 2004 VGpro.com
(thanks Voodoo Extreme
and Planet Half-Life and Frans) has
a quote from Valve's Gabe Newell taken from Polygon magazine reflecting
their willingness to delay the release of Half-Life 2 as long as required to
create the gameplay experience they are envisioning. He goes so far as to
express a willingness to delay the game's release another year and spend another
barrelful of money on the game:

"We've already spent millions into this
project, and we're willing to spend as much as we need to make this the best
first person experience ever. If that means delaying the game to 2005, we'll do
it without any hesitation. If it means sinking another $20 million into the
project, we can do it. Rest assured, if we delay the game, it'll be only to blow
your socks off even more when it finally releases."

Update: Though
many have tried to interpret this as a further delay announcement, it has been
pointed out that this quote was made in reference to the game's delay in
September 2003.

--He cut the possum's face off then cut around the eye socket. In the center of the belt buckle, where the possum's eye would be, he has placed a small piece of wood from his old '52 Ford's home made railroad tie bumper. Damn, he misses that truck.